The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Sun, July 3, 2022 | 06:14
Food
'Producers' ends with success
Posted : 2015-06-21 16:56
Updated : 2015-06-21 18:22
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
'The Producers' starring Kim Soo-hyun and IU recorded 17.7 percent viewership in its last episode on Saturday. / Courtesy of KBS
"The Producers" starring Kim Soo-hyun and IU recorded 17.7 percent viewership in its last episode on Saturday. / Courtesy of KBS

By Kwon Ji-youn


It was not a flying start for "The Producers," but its last episode recorded 17.7 percent viewership to bring the KBS drama series to a successful close. Its success may be attributed to the star-studded casting of Kim Soo-hyun and IU.

And yet "The Producers," which in its planning stages had turned heads with a stellar cast, original plot and impressive cameo lineups, was nothing out of the ordinary. The only unconventional details about the series were perhaps its broadcaster setting and its ever-giving well of cameos.

It was back to work for the four protagonists in the last episode that aired Saturday.

A reasonable conclusion saw two of them go from friends to lovers, while a second relationship was left undetermined, but on a good note.

They all recovered from past pain and fell comfortably back into their daily routines. Singer Cindy (portrayed by IU) was liberated from her controlling and neurotic agent, while producer Seung-chan (Kim) learned what it was to care for someone. Senior producers Ye-jin (Gong Hyo-jin) and Joon-mo (Cha Tae-hyun) scrapped their decades-long friendship for love.

"The Producers" made headlines when it became known that hallyu (Korean wave) star Kim would be starring alongside veterans Cha, Gong and singer IU in a story set in KBS's entertainment department. It garnered even more interest when KBS announced that comedy producer Seo Soo-min would be helming the production, and "My Love from the Star" writer Park Ji-eun would be scripting it.

Though the first few episodes were great boast and small roast, with some likening the series to a promotional video for KBS, viewership increased and criticism subsided as complications arose and relationships began building. More viewers found the series identifiable as it began applying happenings feasible in a broadcaster environment to relationships while giving them a peek into the lives and daily struggles of producers, scriptwriters and celebrities.


And while the output was not all bad for a first try, "The Producers" went on to prove that breaking new ground just is not easy. The writing and direction made attempts at humor, which only Kim and Gong were able to pull off, and the complications were at times overwrought. It was not quite "Misaeng" in that it did not successfully rule out romantic relationships like the tvN drama series did, and its cameo appearances were impressive but more often than not unnecessary.

Overall, it didn't quite "accurately depict the joys and sorrows of this generation's producers," as it promised it would in its project proposal.

"It wasn't a cable series, so it couldn't exclude romance from its plot," said one broadcaster staffer. "And though it wasn't a complete failure, I don't think anyone will be trying something as reckless as this in the near future."

Emailjykwon@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Forum revisits lives of first-generation of Koreans in Hawaii
  • Institutional investors dump Samsung shares amid macroeconomic uncertainty
  • EV fires could hinder transition to eco-friendly vehicles
  • Korean studies and K-vibe
  • Heatwave alert issued nationwide
  • '97 group' lawmakers throw hats into DPK leadership race
  • Top economic policymakers of Korea, US discuss Russian oil price cap
  • Russia's messages with missiles tell West to back off
  • Shifting abortion laws cause confusion for patients, clinics
  • NY overhauls handgun rules in effort to preserve some limits
  • Park Eun-bin plays genius lawyer in 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' Park Eun-bin plays genius lawyer in 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'
  • 'Top Gun: Maverick' tops local box offices for 9 consecutive days 'Top Gun: Maverick' tops local box offices for 9 consecutive days
  • K-pop group aespa to attend UN meeting on sustainable development K-pop group aespa to attend UN meeting on sustainable development
  • 'Elvis' has a lot in common with K-pop music industry: director Baz Luhrmann 'Elvis' has a lot in common with K-pop music industry: director Baz Luhrmann
  • YG Entertainment founder's younger brother reinstated as co-CEO YG Entertainment founder's younger brother reinstated as co-CEO
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group